Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed a three-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent, in a related discipline.

Alternative Entry

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in an unrelated discipline, plus two years of professional experience in a related discipline, or applicants who do not have a completed degree but who have seven years of professional experience in a related discipline will also be considered.

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

Degree overview

Gain advanced design and research skills, as they relate to emerging materials, technologies and sustainability.

Learn in our state-of-the-art on-campus workshops.

Study at a School that has it's design degrees ranked in the World Top 100 for art and design1.

Work on real-life projects, gaining valuable practical experience.

Benefit from our networks and relationships with the industrial design industry – locally, nationally and internationally.

Learn from teachers who are practicing professionals with strong links to industry.

1 2018 QS Subject Rankings

Snapshot

This hands-on postgraduate qualification will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the innovative, changing world of design. You will study emerging trends and technologies, contemporary design issues and sustainability.

As a postgraduate student, you will delve straight into the intricacies of product design, further building on your existing knowledge and skill set. Emerging materials and processing technologies will be covered, as will manufacturing, technical skills and 3D design.

Much of your study will take place in our state-of-the-art workshops that are fitted out with digital fabrication equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers and 3D printers, as well as industry-standard motion-capture and virtual reality systems. In addition to these fundamental practical skills, a key part of your learning will relate to advanced research skills and you will graduate with the cognitive skills needed to review and analyse research.

What you'll learn

Emerging materials, processing technologies and sustainability are key focuses of this graduate diploma. You will also develop an advanced understanding of product design and graduate with the ability to develop and design physical products, systems, interfaces, and environments for cultural and economic exchange. You will also develop:

high-level technical skills needed for digital prototyping and the development of 3D design

the ability to use knowledge of existing and emerging materials and processing technologies for high and low volume manufacturing

the ability to work through complex industrial design problems

cognitive skills needed to review and analyse research

This graduate diploma comprises design research studio classes, research methods, design theory and a selection of electives.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

proposals

projects

literature/artefact reviews

research proposals

essays and assignments

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. Australian and international students may have the option to do an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas. We have links with universities worldwide. You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Notes

1. Electives are selected from those listed above. Electives are intended to extend and expand students' intellectual and professional abilities in core and cognate areas of the curriculum and to provide scope for individual development in particular areas of professional and academic interest. A selection of electives will be offered each year, depending on staff availability and student demand. Students may choose to enrol in alternative electives with approval from their Program Director.

2. Students who have a Grade Point Average of 4.5 or more and wish to independently pursue a topic of interest not available in the electives offered in any one study period may choose a research or project based individual elective with the approval of the Program Director.

3. This program forms part of a nested suite of programs consisting of 72 units as follows: Graduate Diploma in Design comprising 36 units; Master of Design comprising a further 36 units.

Why Graduate Diploma in Design (Industrial Design)

This postgraduate qualification will give you a competitive advantage when seeking professional employment – it’s also a pathway to a Master of Design. As a design student you will develop your skills in our world-class design studios and workshops that boast digital fabrication equipment such as:

laser cutters

CNC routers

3D printers

industry-standard motion-capture and virtual reality systems

You will also be involved in on-campus practical projects, where you will benefit from our strong industry links and our experienced teaching staff. Our commitment to research with an industry focus is unprecedented in South Australia. In the 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia evaluation, 97 per cent of our assessed research was rated world-class or above.

Real-world connections

Our teaching staff are highly trained industry professionals who bring with them years of experience. They have strong industry links and many hold professional positions with national and international organisations. For students this means links to industry and the opportunity to build important networks.

Your career

Job prospects in this field are looking good, with growth in employment nationally expected in the coming years through to November 20201. Careers to consider:

industrial designer: develop concepts and designs for manufactured products, such as cars

furniture designer: develop design concepts, experiment with different materials, liaise with clients and build sample models for either mass produced furniture prototypes or one-off exclusive pieces

product designer: use your design skills to make existing products more effective

It is recommended that to increase employability in this competitive industry students complete the additional year of study required at attain a Master of Design.

1 Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015

Professional accreditation and recognition

Graduates of this program are eligible for Associate Membership of the Design Institute of Australia.
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia after three years of professional practice.

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Hear from David Gordon about workshop here at The University of South Australia's City West campus. The workshop gives students the equipment and plenty of space to work through the entire development process from concept, development to production giving them hands on experience with the machinery and materials.

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Leading academics talk about the School of Art, Architecture and Design at the University of South Australia.

Students building the UniSA Mobile Art, Architecture and Design Studio (MAADS)

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University of South Australia industrial design students Harry Dinnen, Alec Taverner, Luke Johnson and Finn Woodhouse have developed a range of sustainable furniture, including fences, bottle chandelier, seats and tables, for UniSA to have on display at WOMADelaide.

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Make it Better 2016 is a celebration of the work done by Master of Design (Industrial Design) and Graduate Diploma in Design (Industrial Design) graduates.

I’m passionate about increasing awareness of Indigenous knowledges and providing expansive opportunities for students to engage in the educational process.

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarship search page for more.

Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship

Recipients can get a 50% reduction on tuition fees for up to four years of full-time study for selected degrees.

Life in Adelaide

Your study experience

As a student at the University of South Australia you will have unique access to work placement opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events, internships, guest speakers and more.

Our campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform. We have health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and great student lounges. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and lots more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

International Student Services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help we will be there to assist.

We also offer study support from our Learning Advisers. You can work with them face-to-face or online. They are here to help you develop academically and professionally during your studies. They also offer help with the English language. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

How to apply

How to apply for international students will give you helpful information about the application process at the University of South Australia. When you are ready, apply through our International Application System. If you would like to talk to someone near you about studying at the University of South Australia, we have agents all over the world who can assist you. Find an Education Agent in your country.

Deferment

This degree is not available for deferment.

Ask UniSA

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

Postgraduate study by research For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.

There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.

You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.